Kampala, Uganda: Social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has finally taken swift action and suspended an account that had been impersonating Ugandan billionaire Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, following sustained public outrage and digital safety concerns raised by the businessman and his legal team.
The fraudulent handle, which had been operating under the name @RupareliaSudhi, had been actively issuing misleading statements, including fake business endorsements, fabricated socioeconomic commentary, and alleged investment announcements purportedly from Dr. Sudhir.
The account, which had no verification badge but mimicked Sudhir’s public persona with his images and branding, triggered online backlash after sharing a series of posts that many users initially believed to be legitimate.
Industry players, journalists, and cybersecurity experts had called for its suspension on the grounds of impersonation and violation of Uganda’s Computer Misuse Act.
“This was not just parody, it was calculated impersonation. It distorted Sudhir’s brand and credibility,” said a Kampala-based tech policy analyst. “This is a lesson in digital accountability and platform responsibility.”
Efforts by individuals close to Property Mogul Sudhir had earlier confirmed that the tycoon does not operate any personal X account. They asserted that the businessman and his Ruparelia Group empire use only official press statements and regulated PR channels for public communication.
In a statement released earlier this week, Dr. Sudhir had strongly disassociated himself from the account and issued a stern warning to the public saying: “I do not own or operate any account on X. Any communications or posts from that account should be disregarded as fraudulent and misleading.”
While X did not issue a public statement on the suspension, a search for the impersonator’s account now returns a message reading, “Account suspended: X suspends accounts that violate the X Rules.”
The suspension comes amid growing concern over the rise of impersonation and misinformation on X, especially targeting high-profile figures in Uganda’s business, political, and cultural spheres.
This is not the first time Dr. Sudhir has been targeted by online fraudsters. In April 2025, a deepfake video emerged, falsely showing him endorsing a get-rich-quick cryptocurrency scheme, claiming individuals could earn millions by investing as little as Shs915,000. The video was widely circulated on WhatsApp and TikTok before being debunked.
Digital security experts continue to warn about the growing use of AI and social media manipulation to defame or exploit high-profile figures. Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has repeatedly advised influential individuals to pursue verification on social platforms and to educate the public about scams.
Legal experts warn that such impersonations not only risk reputational damage but may constitute criminal offenses under Section 23 of the Computer Misuse Act, 2011. Digital rights advocates are now urging Ugandan influencers and public figures to seek verification across major social platforms and to report suspicious accounts impersonating their identities.
NOTE: As of now, Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia maintains that he does not operate any official account on X (formerly Twitter).
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